OPPOSITION politicians reacted with “disgust” after a Tory MP derailed UK Government-backed plans to criminalise upskirting.
There were cries of “shame!” as Brexiteer barrister Sir Christopher Chope dealt a blow to campaigners by announcing he objected to the Voyeurism (Offences) Bill which would make it illegal for offenders to take a picture under someone’s clothing without their consent.
The government stated its support for making upskirting a specific criminal offence hours before LibDem MP Wera Hobhouse’s Private Member’s Bill received its second reading in the Commons yesterday.
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It was the crucial backing campaigners – including upskirting victim Gina Martin, 26, and her legion of famous supporters – were hoping for after months of meetings with the Ministry of Justice to thrash out terms for suitable legislation.
But the bill, which would have progressed to the amendment stage before returning to the Commons and the Lords and, later, receiving Royal Ascent, was scuppered by veteran Christchurch MP Chope, despite the best efforts of Hobhouse to get him onside earlier in the session.
It means the bill will have to return for another Friday Private Member’s Bill session, on July 6, if it is to have any hope of becoming law this Parliamentary term. Even then, it would only take one dissenting voice to again stop its progress.
Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins, who is also Minister for Women, and Tory MP Will Quince (Colchester) were among those who said “shame” as the bill was blocked.
Martin later said in a statement that she had spoken to Chope who agreed to discuss the Bill with her.
She said: “I am obviously extremely upset and disappointed that Sir Christopher Chope decided to object on this vitally important Bill for the women of England and Wales. I remain positive, though. I’m positive he will become a supporter.”
A Government spokesman said: “This behaviour is a hideous invasion of privacy which leaves victims feeling degraded and distressed.
“It cannot be tolerated, so it is absolutely right that the Government supports this Bill to make ‘upskirting’ a specific offence.
Richard Burgon MP, who backed the Bill, wrote on Twitter: “Disgusted to see that Tory MP Christopher Chope blocked the Upskirting Bill in Parliament today.
“Labour have supported this campaign from the start, it’s time for the Government to bring legislation and not rely on Private Members Bills, which their own MPs have undermined.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Dismayed & appalled that Conservative MP & former leader of Wandsworth Council Chris Chope has done this. The Government should act now and introduce primary legislation to tackle this abusive form of sexual harassment.”
Margot James, Minister for Digital and Creative Industries, tweeted: “The Goverment is determined that it becomes illegal to photograph people under their clothes without consent, Chope can delay, but not prevent, Wera Hobhouse’s bill from becoming law.”
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